Chemo Brain

Options
2»

Comments

  • Chaparrita
    Chaparrita Member Posts: 35
    edited November 2009

    revkat- yes, my hair that was down past my- you know what, long, think and dark, my mind that was so quick and agile, my body that was 40 pounds lighter and did not have saggy, baggy skin covering it and of course the energy that coursed throught my muscles on any given day.  I miss the anticipation of making love to my boyfriend, the wonderful feelings involved both mentally and physically, its just not the same as before. Oh yes, I miss all of this and my attempts at trying to recover it seem to be going so slow its frustrating.  I guess maybe I am just impatient? 

    My heart is with you on all of this, Be Blessed

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited November 2009

    Ok, if you can't get ADD meds, you can substitute decongestant. You need the good stuff that in the US they sell behind the pharmacy counter. Just straight up sudafed, no antihistamines, they will have the opposite effect. Also you can chase with caffeine.

    Before I was prescribed add meds, this is what I used. Preferably the 12 hour.

    Also not all ADD meds are stimulants, but for this I imagine that is what you want.

    I sound like a meth-head!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CameoBarbie
    CameoBarbie Member Posts: 125
    edited November 2009

    Hope I'm not intruding.  I found an article and with the knowledge along the way you have, this might be beneficial or old hat.  It's got a section about cognitive impairment and chemo.

    Hope it helps. PDF

    http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/16/817

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited December 2009

    cameo thanks for the link....it didn't work, but I will try and use a web browser to find it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CameoBarbie
    CameoBarbie Member Posts: 125
    edited December 2009

    Sorry it didn't work.  It was basically about "epoetin (beta & alpha)" -  to aid in oxygenating the blood for better results including chemo.  It is way above my head ....

     I didn't save the search so, try - 

    Oxford Journals

     - medicine

    - annals of oncology

    - volume 16, no. (#)5

    Pp. 817 - 824   (dashes mean arrows or tab).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CameoBarbie
    CameoBarbie Member Posts: 125
    edited December 2009

    Please find this funny.  it's "a poutine" or in Canadian "eh poutine."  Not funny?   Easy to remember that way!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited December 2009

    Like the french fries with cheese and gravy?

    I did web search the article and this is what I got from it (I may be wrong it was a little over my head)

    The people with chemo did worse on the first test, but by 4 years out were showing improvement.

    Ironically the control group (most of who were on Tamoxifien?) got wose, possibly due to the tamoxifen.

    So for many people the chemo brain symptoms are getting better a few years out, while the tamoxifen people are dealing with a slower decline.

    Sounds about right, and there is some encouragement for chemo brain victims that things will get better by the next presidential election.

    (That wasn't political, btw, just a different way of looking at the time frame)

    Then again, I did not even take biology, so I may have it wrong!!!!!!!!

    It does seem from my reading that people other than bc get chemo brain, but bc may get a double whammy with the hormonal aspect.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chaparrita
    Chaparrita Member Posts: 35
    edited January 2010

    Hey Cookiegal,

    Are you saying that women who were given tamoxifen have a slow decline in mental ability???    But instead of getting better they slowly decline?  I dont know if its the hormones or what.  I had stopped menstrating 6 mos before I was diagnosed with the cancer but had had the cancer for two years previously.  I had not noticed any mental decline until I stopped the chemo.  Wow, then it hit me like a ton or lead bricks.  I go to the doctor this month and am going to ask about the Ritalin, wonder if he will listen????

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chrisct
    chrisct Member Posts: 2,662
    edited January 2010

    For the ladies taking Ritalin or Concerta - how is it working for you?  I already had chemo brain before I had chemo. After chemo, I can't really tell the difference.  Now I'm on tamox - who knows what effect that will have.  I think I've always had add - and then a few years ago, before bc, I started having trouble keeping things straight - don't know why - sleep deprivation, drop in estrogen, vitamin d deficiency, stress, my body's reaction to the cancer itself?, inflammation (cytokines?) - I'll probably never know.  I've read that ritalin helps people with chemobrain.  I've also read Modafinil helps too - but I can't take that since it interacts with tamox.  Anyone notice a difference with the ritalin?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • erika-canada
    erika-canada Member Posts: 142
    edited January 2010

    Hi Dear Ladies:

    I just wish the Doctors would be honest with us so we know what to expect! If they don't want to answer a ? or don't know, they talk in circles like politicians, and in the end you're no wiser. Finally, with great hesitation, the Onc told me to expect chemo brain for less than 2 years after treatment. It's a shade away from 3 years, and is getting worse!! For 34 years I made my living spelling Medical Terminology, today I have to stop to think how to spell the most simple words.

    Also, I'm taking Femora which I blame partly.

    With the Femora (side effect) I barely have any hair left...any suggestions?  Cry  Cry 

    I had no choice in making decisions about my treatment (IBC); which I woudn't have. But, that is not the issue. DOCTORS, PLEASE BE UPFRONT WITH YOUR PATIENTS.. WE AREN'T CHILDREN..NO PUSSY-FOOTING AROUND UNPLEASANT TOPICS, please!!

    Have a great night to the ones that can sleep to us with insomnia; never give up hope of sleeping a few hours at a time!!!!!

    Erika 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chaparrita
    Chaparrita Member Posts: 35
    edited January 2010

    Hay Ya'll

     Thank you so much for posting to my subject.  I really appreciate all the info I can get.  I went to the doctor last week and took the article from breastcancer.org about Chemo brain and the Ritalin.  I also took blogs that some of ya'll had posted about Ritalin and he said he was not comfortable prescribing it for me!  But he did set me up with an appointment with Supportive and Pallative care, whatever that is???  But he did say "she is big on Ritalin"  Oh these doctors.  I drive this body everyday you think someone would listen to what I have to say about it.   erika-canada, I don't have insomnia but my son works nites and he goes to work at 2am so I am usually up till he leaves.  Also I am on that sleep schedule too but I do understand the insomnia, had it with Chemo.

    I love you all and look forward to reading what you have to say, its so important that we listen to each other.  Ya'll have a most blessed day.

    Chaparrita

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jewels1981
    jewels1981 Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2010

    Oh the old chemo brain.  I think my family thought I was losing it.  My poor kids have to leave notes all over the house for me!!  I paid a $23,000 electric bill instead of $230!!  I have been off chemo since Oct 26 but sometimes I struggle with words.  I also can't multi task Like I used to do.  Has anyone else found that our dear women's talent of multi tasking is gone??  I hope it comes back.  I am on tamoxifen and will go on arimidex next month after hysterectomy.  I do feel better and I think the chemo brain is slowly fading.  Good Luck to you Champarrita and the rest of you experiencing this SE.  I found that it was easier to laugh than to get angry.  And hey you can always use "chemo brain" as an excuse! LOL  Jewels

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KariWhite
    KariWhite Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2010

    Chemo brain is real.  I was not able to return to my job after the very aggressive chemo treatment. I can't claim disability, since how can I prove my brain does not function well due to chemo? 

    On the bright side, my memory improves after about 3 years.

    Kari

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chaparrita
    Chaparrita Member Posts: 35
    edited May 2010

    Yes you can clain disability, and it is on the list of disabilities with the gov.  There are doctors who test for this using cognitive tests. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chaparrita
    Chaparrita Member Posts: 35
    edited May 2010
    Well they put me on the Ritalin but not enough.  10mg a day, it wears off too fast but while its in me it is a blessing. Laughing I can actually get up off the couch and do something.  I read everything I can find on it and notice they prescribe 5mg every two to four hours for a lot of people.  Now that would be excellent.  Going to talk to my doc about this and take the articles with me.  Since I started taking it I dont fall out asleep in the afternoon anymore!!!  I do sleep long hours still though.  Maybe 11 a nite.  Oh, if you are fatigued from the chemo, or chemo brain it will truly help you.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited May 2010

    I started taking stimulants post chemo....tried Adderal first, and now on Vyvanse.....never needed meds before BC TX.....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • survivormom09
    survivormom09 Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2010
    I concur with all of you.  I used to be able to keep it all together.  Now it takes a planner in my purse, calendar, notes and the like on my phone, AND two written calendars at home.  I cant get DH to believe that thi is chemo brain  this far out.  I finished TCH Sept 09 and Herceptin May 10.  Thank you for helping me remember that it is the BC not me....Tongue out
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marciandpam
    marciandpam Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2018

    I know this is way past time to answer you but if others see you post, maybe this will help. I noticed a difference after my second chemo treatment (CMF) and it went downhill from there. I literally could not find the silverware drawer in my kitchen. Sometimes it took five spins or pulling out all of the drawers until I hit on the silverware one. I'm not sure this happens as early for most people. Both the Brain Fitness Center people and then my oncologist agreed that the chemo had effectilvely deleted all the new neural pathways I'd rebuilt after a traumatic brain injury 45 years ago.

    If you have insurance and can get a neuropsych test pre-chemo or early on, then you will have information should you need it for post chemo testing. I had the good fortune of working with the Brain Fitness Center in Clearwater, Florida. They were amazing. I still have some issues but am far better.

    Hopefully this helps anyone heading into chemo treatment.

    Warmly,

    Marci

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories